Ratoath AC Half Marathon 2026

The Ratoath AC Half Marathon begins at the secondary entrance of the historic Fairyhouse Racecourse and concludes with a triumphant sprint in front of the iconic grandstand. The scenic route leads participants onto the R155 toward Dunboyne, passing local landmarks such as the Caulstown Christmas Tree Farm and the historic Sweeney’s Pub. Runners navigate a picturesque loop through the Meath countryside, traversing Glascarn Lane—a traditional bridle path—before re-entering the grounds for a final lap of the racecourse’s tarmac ambulance track. Renowned as a premier destination for personal bests, the terrain is exceptionally flat and fast, though athletes should be prepared for a brief, challenging drag during the final mile within the arena. This professionally organized event offers a high-energy atmosphere with extensive community support, making it a standout fixture in the Irish running calendar.

Note from organiser:

Important Notice – Access to Fairyhouse Racecourse (Don't be caught out by close proximity of car park to race start)

Access to Fairyhouse Racecourse

We strongly encourage all participants to arrive and be parked at Fairyhouse Racecourse between by 8:00am. This will allow plenty of time to warm up and use the toilet facilities before the race begins.

Please be aware that Fairyhouse Road becomes extremely busy from both directions on race morning, and entry into the Racecourse can quickly become a bottleneck. If you arrive late, you may experience significant delays parking and risk missing the start of the race.

Although the car park is located close to the start area, we strongly advise against leaving your arrival until the last minute. Access is via a country road, and traffic congestion can build up quickly.

Arriving early will ensure a smooth, stress-free start to your race day.